suggested that the organisms described in this genus are myxobacters or that the cultures were contaminated with myxobacters; however, this does not seem probable.
The type species is Nitrosocystis javanensis (Winogradsky) Starkey.
1. Nitrosocystis javanensis (Winogradsky, 1892) Starkey, 1948. (Nitrosomonas javanensis Winogradsky, Arch. Sci. biol., St. Petersburg, 1, 1892, 127; Starkey, in Manual, 6th ed., 1948, 72.)
jav.a.nen′sis. Java, a place name; M.L. adj. javanensis of Java, Javanese.
Small ellipsoidal cells having a diameter of 0.5 to 0.6 micron. Possess a polar flagellum 20 times as long as the rods.
In liquid medium produces very compact zoogloeal masses of cells and motile swarmers. The large zoogloeae are themselves composed of smaller compact aggregates of cells.
On silica gel the colonies are circular to elliptical becoming clear or light brown.
Aerobic.
Strictly autotrophic.
Source: Soil of Buitenzorg, Java; Tokyo, Japan; and La Reghaia, Tunisia.
Habitat: Presumably widely distributed in soil.
2. Nitrosocystis coccoides Starkey, 1948. (Nitrosocystis a, S. Winogradsky and H. Winogradsky, Ann. Inst. Past., 50, 1933, 401; Starkey, in Manual, 6th ed., 1948, 72.)
coc.co.i′des. Gr. coccus grain, berry; Gr. idus form, shape; M.L. adj. coccoides coccus-shaped.
Ellipsoidal cells about 1.5 microns in diameter. Occur as compact aggregates of cells imbedded in mucus and surrounded by a thickened capsule to form cyst-like bodies. Cells rarely solitary but more often in pairs and in small groups of four or more. Probably motile. The mucus which surrounds the cells is not readily stained whereas the outside coating stains more easily.
Colonies on silica gel: As colonies develop, the coating of CaCO2 on the gel becomes yellowish and dissolves, and the colony appears as a bulbous, angular, brown body which may become 0.5 mm in diameter. The cells are held firmly together in these irregularly shaped bulbous aggregates.
Aerobic.
Source: Poor soils of Brie and elsewhere in France.
Habitat: Presumably widely distributed in forest and manured soils.
Genus V. Nitrosogloea H. Winogradsky, 1935.
(Compt. rend. Acad. Sci., Paris, 200, 1935, 1887; Ann. Inst. Pasteur, 58, 1937, 335.)
Ni.tro.so.gloe′a. M.L. nitrosus nitrous; Gr. gloea glue, jelly; M.L. fem. n. Nitrosogloea nitrous jelly.
Cells ellipsoidal or rod-shaped. Embedded in slime to form zoogloeae. No common membrane surrounds the cell aggregates. Oxidize ammonia to nitrite.
It has been suggested that these organisms were contaminated with myxobacters. See note under Nitrosocystis for references.
The type species is Nitrosogloea merismoides H. Winogradsky.
1. Nitrosogloea merismoides H. Winogradsky, 1935. (Nitrosocystis "I", H. Winogradsky, Trans. Third Intern. Cong. Soil Sci., Oxford, 1, 1935, 139; H. Winogradsky, Compt. rend. Acad. Sci., Paris, 200, 1935, 1887; also see Ann. Inst. Past., 58, 1937, 333.)
mer.is.mo.i′des. Gr. merismus a division; Gr. idus form, shape; M.L. adj. merismoides resembling a division.
Ellipsoidal cells 0.5 by 1.5 microns. Oval cells or short rods forming tetards or chains, each group with its own sheath. The groups vary in shape producing branched chains, irregular or compact aggregates.
Colonies on silica gel: Cells encased in a pale yellow mucilage giving the colony a dull appearance. Colony surface studded with little humps.
Aerobic.
